The Official Blog of Tiger Home Services

Category Archives: Home Improvement

Introducing Tiger Home Awareness Solutions

Did I forget to shut the garage door? Was my package delivered? Is my home secure? Homeownership comes with all kinds of questions, concerns and responsibilities. Wouldn’t it be nice if things were a little easier? Be aware with a smart home from Tiger Home Awareness.

Tiger Home Awareness and Automation Solutions will take away many of the worries that come with owning your home. Imagine how much easier it would be to control lights and lock doors with an app on your phone? Or the peace of mind that would accompany the ability to keep an eye on children, elderly relatives or pets when you are not home. How much more secure would your home be if you could monitor and even interact with people who visit your home with a two-way camera?

Be In Control Anywhere, Anytime

First, you will have control of your home’s automation through an app that you can easily install on your Smartphone.

Next, conveniently located cameras and sensors will allow you to monitor suspicious activity on your property and the coming and goings of visitors.

Furthermore, you can customize alerts that are sent to your phone, which makes it easier to stay up to date on the happenings in your home.

And, easily keep an eye on children or elderly relatives while you are away from home.

Labor Day is coming at us fast and you may be looking at the Home Improvement To-Do List you planned to get done by the end of summer. No need to stress! You still have time to knock a few, if not all, of these home improvement projects off your list and get your home ready for the cooler months to come!

6 Home Improvement Projects to Complete Before Labor Day:

1. Get Your Deck in Order

Whether you are planning on entertaining this Labor Day or not, your deck will benefit from a little TLC. Your deck spends each day battling the elements: rain, snow, ice, the sun, extreme hot and cold temperatures, there isn’t much relief for your deck. Grab an approved deck cleaner and give your deck a quick scrub to remove dirt, debris, mildew, etc. Stain or paint your deck if needed. To protect your deck from water damage and the winter months ahead apply sealant. Then all you will have to do is sit back and relax on your newly refreshed deck.

2. Clean the Grill

Maybe you have been using your grill almost every weekend this summer or maybe you haven’t fired it up since last Labor Day, either way, your grill would probably benefit from a good cleaning!

3. Clean Out Your Garage

You will likely want to park your vehicles in your garage this winter since doing so will help prevent ice and snow from building up on your windshields. Waiting until the winter temperatures drop to start cleaning your garage may mean that you are less likely to complete the task. No one wants to be out in the cold, doing an unpleasant chore. It is best to check off ‘clean the garage’ from your to-do list now. Then your garage will be ready for you when you want to use it.

4. Schedule Your Annual Furnace Safety Inspection and Super Tune-Up

The weather is unpredictable in the Midwest and it can be hard to know when the temperatures will drop enough to run your furnace. However, when the time comes that you do want to use your furnace, you will want it to be in proper working order. The first hard freeze is not the time to discover that your furnace isn’t up to the challenge. Call (866)844-3770 to schedule your Annual Furnace Safety Inspection and Super Tune-Up today and beat the fall rush!

5. Seal Up Any Cracks

Colder days are coming and you don’t want to worry about a drafty home this winter. Take some time to caulk the seal around your windows. If there is a gap at the bottom of your front or back door, now might be a great time to address this issue as well, by replacing old worn out door trims or adding some fresh weather stripping. A well-sealed home will help save you money on your power bill down the road.

6. Change the Batteries

It can be easy to forget about your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors but they play a major role in keeping your home and family safe. If it’s been awhile since you have changed out the batteries in these devices, now is the time to do so. Especially since there tends to be a greater risk of house fires and issues with carbon monoxide during the colder months.

Have a Safe and Happy Labor Day Everyone!

If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:

DIY projects can be fun and a great way to increase your home’s value; however, some home improvement projects are better left to the professionals. Safety, cost and timeliness are just some of the concerns to consider when deciding whether or not to do a project yourself or call in a pro. Check out this list of home improvement projects that are not meant to receive the DIY treatment.

Projects That Are Not Made For DIY

1. Electrical Updates

Outdated electrical components and wiring pose many problems for homeowners in terms of safety and convenience. While upgrading an electrical panel, wiring, adding more outlets and other updates are great home improvement projects, they are also dangerous. Electricians spend a great deal of time learning how to handle electricity safely and properly. So, when it comes time to upgrade your home’s electrical work, it is best to call in the professionals here at Tiger!

2. Roofing

Repairing or replacing a home’s roofing is a monumental task that is better left for licensed professionals. DIY roofing projects are extremely dangerous and often quite costly, calling the pros when a new roof is needed is the best way to go.

3. Plumbing Work

Even the smallest plumbing repairs can go extremely wrong, extremely quickly. Imagine the mess an improperly installed toilet or piping could make. Avoid the hassles of leaks, water damage and sanitation issues by calling one of our expert plumbers to handle all of your plumbing needs.

4. Adding an Additional Bathroom

Who wouldn’t love an extra bathroom in their home? The added convenience and home value makes the idea of adding another bathroom appealing. However, building an additional bathroom is not an easy DIY project to take on yourself. Hanging drywall, laying tile and installing fixtures often require a professional’s touch to get them right. Running new plumbing lines, hooking up the water supply, wiring the space and placing ductwork are tasks that can be dangerous and expensive when done incorrectly. When it comes to adding a new bathroom, it is best to leave it to the pros.

5. Structural Changes

Licensed professionals are vital when it comes to making structural changes to your home. Some projects will require special permits, depending on where you live, a licensed pro should know what is needed. Knocking down walls without knowing what damage it will cause is extremely dangerous. Other projects may weaken your home’s foundation. These types of projects will go more smoothly when left to the professionals.

When deciding whether or not to give a home improvement project the DIY treatment, consider these important questions.

Is this project worth the time and effort I will have to put into it?

Do I have the necessary tools and skills to do this project correctly?

What are the safety issues I should consider?

DIY projects can be fun; however, it is often best to leave the larger or more dangerous projects to the professionals.

If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at: